Pepper Seedlings
We grow all of our own vegetable starts in our greenhouses to assure the healthiest and most well adapted plants possible. We source seeds from all over the world to create a mix of delicious vegetables that grow well in our area.
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Growing Cover Crops
We grow a cover crop of bell beans, purple vetch, and cayuse oats during the winter and early spring. This builds organic matter, adds nutrients, and protects soil from erosion. Each spring we mow and incorporate these crops into the soil with a spading machine. |
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Bed Shaping and Preparation
Raised beds are being formed to prepare for transplanting. The soil is the most important resource on our farm. We work hard to improve it’s quality and create a healthy soil ecosystem. We add compost, grow cover crops, and minimize tillage to increase the organic matter content and minimize fossil fuel use. |
Recent Pepper Transplants
When our plants our ready and the soil warms in May, it is time to transplant into the fields. The months surrounding the summer solstice mean long days are ahead for us to water, weed, and care for our crops. |
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Basil in Hoop House
Early in the spring we plant basil and cucumbers in our hoop house. It is significantly warmer than outside, allowing us to harvest much earlier. The basil will grow into fall. |
Restoration Work
Kevin mows down Harding grass for a planting of native grasses and plants in Summer 2007. Each year we try to do a little more to restore native habitat on the farm. This year we are working with the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District to restore a seasonal wetland area on our farm that has been taken over by invasive species. |
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Lettuce Harvest
  
Harvesting vegetables at the right time is an exhausting art. Our decision is based on
weather, soil, time of year, and where we are selling it. Every crop and year is different.
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Gypsy Pepper Plant
This is a Gypsy pepper from Hungary, This and peppers like paprika are very popular in Hungary. Peppers and chilies originated in South America, but are now grown all over the world.
Pepper Field Rows
Productive pepper plants. In late summer and early fall we are busy picking the fruits of a long season of labor. |
Mixed Sweet Peppers
Sweet peppers come in countless varieties, ranging in shape, color, and taste. We grow 20 types, and constantly trial new varieties. We pack more boxes of sweet pepper than any other vegetable. |
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Farm Market
Quetzal sells at Thursday and Saturday Berkeley Farmer’s Markets and Sunday at the Marin Civic Center. We love to meet and sell our produce directly to customers. This is where you get the freshest, tastiest food at the best price.
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Marcos
Marcos is a great friend as well as rodent predator. His meow may be cute to us but gophers for acres around flee in terror. |
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High School Students Planting
Many students visit and help out at the farm. These students are from Windsor High School. When young people come to Quetzal Farm we educate and engage them in the growing process. Students learn to appreciate how special it is to eat well grown food, and how satisfying agricultural work can be. |
Ben with Paprika and Paprika Research
 
Over the last few years we have been learning the art of drying peppers as well as experimenting with their many uses in the kitchen. In 2007 we will begin selling our
especially tasty dried and smoked chilies
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Oak Silhouette
Sun Setting Behind Valley Oak. We preserve as much of the native landscape on our farm as possible. We believe that agriculture and nature should coexist and thrive in the same landscape. |
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